Andy Reid's faceoff with Eagles headlines NFL's Week 3

Sep. 18, 2013
|

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. / Rob Foldy, USA TODAY Sports

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

by Tom Pelissero, USA TODAY Sports

Filed Under

ADVERTISEMENT

Through two weeks of play, 22 of 32 games have been decided by seven points or fewer â?? the most at this point in NFL history. Games decided by three points or fewer (11) and fourth-quarter comebacks to win (14) are tied for most all-time, too. Here's a look at which games will provide the best drama this week:

Reid returns to Philly

The Philadelphia Eagles fired Andy Reid after a 4-12 finish last season and replaced him with Chip Kelly, who has installed a rapid-fire offense built around mostly the same pieces - quarterback Mike Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and receiver DeSean Jackson - that Reid brought in for his West Coast scheme.

Reid has moved on to Kansas City, where his Chiefs are an early front-runner in the AFC wild-card chase after victories over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys. Next up: the Eagles in a Thursday night matchup in Philly, where fans don't exactly have a reputation for their welcoming nature.

Bengals try to get in gear

There were some positive signs in Monday's home win over Pittsburgh, with rookie RB Giovani Bernard scoring twice and the defense forcing two key turnovers. But QB Andy Dalton's scattershot accuracy could be a red flag for the AFC North's most talented roster. Their toughest test yet comes Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, who torched the Redskins last week and pressured Redskins QB Robert Griffin III into another brutal performance.

RG3 tries to get right

This much is certain: Griffin isn't himself yet. Scouts see a lack of rhythm and some mechanical issues as he returns from knee surgery.

But perhaps the biggest problem is defenses don't fear RG3's running and don't respect the extra gap in the read-option attack that made him (and the Redskins offense) so effective last season. The heat will be on until Griffin shows he can move - and the Detroit Lions' physical front surely is salivating over the prospect of going after a sitting duck Sunday.

Rams aim for upset

If the Rams are going to play themselves into the NFC playoff picture, games like Sunday's in Dallas are crucial. And make no mistake: The Rams have the talent. They took the Falcons to the limit last week in Atlanta and possess some of the most intriguing weaponry in a loaded conference.

The Cowboys' mediocre showings on both sides of the ball - 24th in offense and 25th in defense - could have them primed for an upset.

Coaches' seats heat up

Ron Rivera is off to another slow start with the Panthers. Leslie Frazier took blame for the Vikings' defense coming unglued late in last week's loss at Chicago. And Greg Schiano - well, it's safe to say the Buccaneers have major issues.

Whichever team(s) falls to 0-3 this week will hoist its coach onto the hot seat. Carolina and Minnesota have winnable home games against fellow members of the winless club: the Giants and Browns, respectively. The Bucs take on the unbeaten, but still struggling, Patriots in Foxboro.

About the Patriots' issues

Questions about whether QB Tom Brady went too far with his sideline gripes? Really? He's as responsible as anyone for the Patriots getting to 2-0 despite their issues, and with all Brady has accomplished, he should get to smack a receiver in the face with a leather glove if he wants.

If TE Rob Gronkowski returns from back surgery this week, it'll be a big step toward having the offense the Patriots envisioned from the start - and should make them dangerous as always come playoff time.

Dolphins state their case

Coach Joe Philbin believes Miami has a "hell of a team in the making," and it's tough to argue with the results so far. Two road games. Two victories, including a 24-20 upset of the Colts in Week 2.

The Dolphins have done it while fitting together a lot of new parts and replacing TE Dustin Keller, who looked to be a key offensive cog before his knee injury. If they can find a way to knock off the Super Bowl-dreaming Falcons on Sunday in Miami, watch out.

Blowout central?

The Seahawks opened as 21-point favorites against the Jaguars with at least one sports book, and the line had settled at 19Â½ as of Tuesday afternoon - still one of the largest in NFL history.

Why not? Seattle erased the 49ers' high-powered offense Sunday night, and the Jaguars have mustered all of 11 points (total!) through two games. Peyton Manning and the Broncos have scored 90 in wins over the Ravens and Giants, and they figure to open as heavy favorites in their Monday night game against the Raiders.

Champs try to hold on

Ravens veteran Terrell Suggs expects a playoff rematch with the Broncos - but how quickly will things come together for the remodeled Super Bowl champs? They had to rally from a halftime deficit just to get past the Browns last week.

Sunday, they welcome in the Texans, who have completed comebacks of their own against the Chargers and Titans (in OT). If RB Ray Rice's injured hip flexor keeps him out, a lot will be on QB Joe Flacco's shoulders.

Elsewhere â?¦

Will the 49ers or Colts rebound from a difficult loss?

Will Drew Brees and the unbeaten Saints keep rolling?

Will the Bills pass rush make life as miserable for Jets QB Geno Smith on as it did for Cam Newton?

And will the Steelers salvage a season that appears to be circling the drain? Falling to 0-3 with a loss to the Bears could be the end.